1. Aim: Explain how the gold-salt trade led to the rise of Ghana

2. Gold-Salt Trade Ghana (700 CE): Kingdom in W. Africa
Trade across the Sahara had existed for centuries
Rulers were growing rich by taxing the goods that traders carried through their territory
Two most important trade items were gold & salt
Gold came from forest region south of Savanna
Until 1350, 2/3 of world’s gold came from W. Africa
West Africa’s savanna’s & forests lacks salt
Mineral essential to human life
Sahara contained deposits of salt
Arab & Berber traders crossed the desert with camels
Loaded with salt, cloth, weapons, & manufactured goods 2

3. Land of Gold 800 CE: Ghana becomes an empire
Due to Ghana controlling trade and having large army, they demanded taxes and gifts from surrounding lands
As long as lands made payments, Ghana king left them in peace
In royal palace, king stored gold nuggets and slabs of salt
Ghana’s African ruler acted as a religious leader, chief judge, and military commander
Headed up large bureaucracy 3

4. Islamic Influences
Islam spread through N. Africa and South of the Sahara
Spread through trade
Ghana rulers converted to Islam
11th Century, Muslim advisers helped king run kingdom
While African rulers accepted Islam, many in empire clung to animistic beliefs and practices
Animism: Belief that spirits living in animals, plants, & natural forces play role in daily life
Many never convert
Islam’s growth encouraged the spread of literacy
To study the Qur’an 4